UPDATE 1-Senegal police clash with rioters as vote looms

* Senegal a linchpin of stability in turbulent West Africa
(Adds death reported, details, background)

By Diadie Ba

DAKAR, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Senegal security forces
clashed with protesters in the capital and surrounding suburbs
on Sunday in the fifth straight day of demonstrations against
President Abdoulaye Wade's candidacy in a Feb. 26 election.

Youths set fire to tyres, smashed car windows and barricaded
roads near the presidential mansion in Dakar and several
protesters were injured as police defending it fired back with
teargas, rubber bullets and rocks, a Reuters witness said.

One protester was killed when a rubber bullet hit him in the
head in the town of Rufiske, 25 km (15 miles) from Dakar,
according to local media, bringing to at least six the number of
dead in pre-electoral violence since last month.

The clashes come amid mounting pressure on Wade from
opposition rivals and international partners to withdraw his bid
for a third term in office, and have raised fears of growing
instability in West Africa's most peaceful country.

Protesters said they took to the streets on Sunday to
retaliate after security forces fired a teargas grenade into a
mosque during a demonstration on Friday.
Continued...